Horse Slaughter

Created: 20 March 2007

California Victory Means Fewer Horses Slaughtered in Canada

On
Wednesday, California voters made it illegal to kill racehorses for
human consumption and that means fewer horses being shipped to Canada
for slaughter, according to The Humane Society of Canada (HSC) which
supported the 'Save The Horses' Ballot. Breaking the law is a serious
felony crime with hefty fines and jail time. "We had the support of
three race tracks and statewide police associations," said John Lovell,
a veteran attorney and lobbyist who worked tirelessly with many others
to gather the 720,000 signatures needed to bring the measure to a vote.

Sherry
DeBoer, one of the driving forces behind the ballot who worked long and
hard behind the scenes was ecstatic: "Horses are companion animals who
have a special trusting relationship with humans -- a bond that is all
too often exploited by human greed. We'll continue working with our
friends in Canada for the day when no unwanted horse is treated this
way."

Three
other principal sponsors of the ballot were Cathleen Doyle, Sidne Long
and Sue Stiles. Along with DeBoer they raised more than $1 million US
to win the battle.

Their
efforts mean that thousands of horses will no longer enter the
'Canadian connection' to be killed. "After traveling thousands of
miles, injured and exhausted horses cross our border into
slaughterhouses located in British Columbia and Alberta. This long
journey from California inflicts tremendous unnecessary psychological
and physical trauma on these animals," said AI Hickey, HSC Western
Regional Director.

In
1994, The Humane Society of Canada carried out a sweeping undercover
investigation revealing the horrible abuse and cruelty inflicted upon
horses sent to slaughter. That investigation sent shock waves through
the racing industry and since that time 21,000 fewer horses are now
being killed annually in Canada.

"However,
the battle is far from over. The public is outraged over the fact that
60,000 horses are still butchered each year in Canada to satisfy the
demand for gourmet markets in Europe, Mexico and Japan," said HSC
Executive Director Michael O'Sullivan.

"The
racing industry is just breeding too many horses. Every horse that's
born makes the lives of the ones already alive worth less," said
O'Sullivan.

"Racehorses
are nothing more than dollar signs to many of their owners. If they
don't win races, they're worth more dead than alive. This callous
indifference needs to end now," he said.

Even
former 'killer-buyer', Rick Mangrum of Oregon, who sent thousands of
horses to their deaths said: "... I'm no bleeding heart liberal that's
for sure, but I know this. The way we dispose of horses now is wrong.
If people inflicted these atrocities on dogs and cats we would lock
them up for cruelty. Why should it be OK to do it to horses..."

The
California ballot also had the support of Hollywood Park, Golden Gate
Field and Del Mar racetracks.' While The Humane Society of Canada is
looking for that kind of support from the multibillion dollar racing
industry here in Canada, O'Sullivan has no illusions that everyone
welcomes their efforts with open arms.

"Four
years ago, we told the racing industry we didn't intend to give up the
fight to save horses. We'd like to work with them to clean up their
act, but one way or another we're going to do it. With or without their
help," he promised.